Dream Theater

Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote: Nick, I'm on nightshift right now and have been listening to the new album on my Ipod with headphones on, and already I'm hearing more things. You are spot on about Labrie's backing harmonies, etc. Even though he's still not my favourite vocalist, he has grown in leaps and bounds over the years, learned a lot more restraint, and especially on this album really seems to be pushing himself with more intricate arrangements and variations. He does really well on that final longer epic track too. That orchestral part on that one is very different for Dream Theater! Have to say, just before that section kicks in with the ambient build-up, was I the only one that thought of Yes' `Close To The Edge'?

Yeah. The vocals are far more intimate from LaBrie. I'm getting that a lot now. I really quite love it as well.
As for the ILLUMINATION THEORY track I really couldn't ask for more changes in direction with in a DT track. It's got everything Prog metal has to offer just about! It's heavy, soft/melodic, classical, ambient and even a little jazzy at times with Rudess's wacky keyboard conductions. ;)
Lastly you know how I feel about Close to The Edge. But seriously, I'm finding similarities of 6 degrees and octavarium with in this DT album. I mean listen to the intro 'Behind The veil' it sounds like the intro to THE GREAT DEBATE and It has the main orchestration climax from SACRIFICE SONS. I love it. It's clever and most importantly doesn't sound recycled. ;)

I am just getting a lot out this album. The choruses are strong, the instrumental 'Enigma Machine' really showcases Mangini's capabilities....live those Autobaun drum heads!!!
Oh and lastly, I think ALONG FOR THE RIDE might be the ballad of year for me. Love Rudess's keyboards on that one and I am really glad he chose to use the same keyboard algorithm that he used on Beneath The Surface.
It sounds wild!!! I quite like it. :)
Anyway. I shall shut up now. Enjoy man! :)

progbethyname wrote: Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote: Nick, I'm on nightshift right now and have been listening to the new album on my Ipod with headphones on, and already I'm hearing more things. You are spot on about Labrie's backing harmonies, etc. Even though he's still not my favourite vocalist, he has grown in leaps and bounds over the years, learned a lot more restraint, and especially on this album really seems to be pushing himself with more intricate arrangements and variations. He does really well on that final longer epic track too. That orchestral part on that one is very different for Dream Theater! Have to say, just before that section kicks in with the ambient build-up, was I the only one that thought of Yes' `Close To The Edge'? Yeah. The vocals are far more intimate from LaBrie. I'm getting that a lot now. I really quite love it as well. As for the ILLUMINATION THEORY track I really couldn't ask for more changes in direction with in a DT track. It's got everything Prog metal has to offer just about! It's heavy, soft/melodic, classical, ambient and even a little jazzy at times with Rudess's wacky keyboard conductions. ;) Lastly you know how I feel about Close to The Edge. But seriously, I'm finding similarities of 6 degrees and octavarium with in this DT album. I mean listen to the intro 'Behind The veil' it sounds like the intro to THE GREAT DEBATE and It has the main orchestration climax from SACRIFICE SONS. I love it. It's clever and most importantly doesn't sound recycled. ;) I am just getting a lot out this album. The choruses are strong, the instrumental 'Enigma Machine' really showcases Mangini's capabilities....live those Autobaun drum heads!!! Oh and lastly, I think ALONG FOR THE RIDE might be the ballad of year for me. Love Rudess's keyboards on that one and I am really glad he chose to use the same keyboard algorithm that he used on Beneath The Surface. It sounds wild!!! I quite like it. :) Anyway. I shall shut up now. Enjoy man! :)

Oh, Nick, we know you won't shut up about Dream Theater lol! Good for you, man!

Some more random thoughts as I've been playing the later parts of the disc:

The opening and closing of `Behind The Veil' reminds me very much of Riverside, those intimidating spacey synths! The main chorus sections are pretty catchy power AOR!

The acoustic guitar sections of `Surrender To Reason' have a definite Steven Wilson/PTree sound like `Time Flies' etc. Myung does get some really show-off bits in this, especially at about the four minute mark! Nice multi-tracked harmonies from James in the finale too.

`Along For The Ride' is classy power ballad territory for the chorus, but nice trickier heavy fills throughout and a very ELP/Lucky Man inspired Moog run in the middle!

Edited by Aussie-Byrd-Brother - September 27 2013 at 15:17

M27Barney wrote: I was hearing LOTS of rush on first listen - little bits of 2112, Cygnus X-1 PT1 - Overall - a very good album on first Spin. The Epic will grow on me I'm sure - all this argument about Rush - Hm that last decent album 1980 - then electro pop rubbish - DT's efforts are what Rush should have evolved into, such a waste of musical talent... Well what I should say is that Post 80's Rush was written for one purpose - to fill the Bank Accounts of Lee, Lifeson & Peart - mission accomplished I suppose.....

Well, it's not like they're going to go back to stocking produce at the grocery store...

I'm liking it even more after repeat listenings (not that I didn't like it at first).

I've been listening to it daily and it's definitely a Top 5 for me along with I & W, Met 2, 6DOIT, and Awake. This is coming from a 20 year plus fan. I'm extremely impressed with what I have heard and I love the direction they have been taking with the last two releases. I feel more passion and songwriting coming from the band, even more so than on ADTOE, passion that had been almost lost on SC & BC&SL.

At last I got it... unfortunatley I have to listen to it more to give an opinion. I might end up likind it well enough... at least more than "A Dramatic Turn of Events"... Though I don't know if more than "Black Clouds".

 i`m not to sure if the last two album to me seem to. be okish. which i belive is beacuse mike. isn`t there playin`.

I'll be getting Live at Luna Park here in the mail in the next week. Has anyone else watched or listened to this live album? What do you think?

I'll wait until I watch it before I come back to this thread.

Metalmarsh89 wrote: I'll be getting Live at Luna Park here in the mail in the next week. Has anyone else watched or listened to this live album? What do you think?I'll wait until I watch it before I come back to this thread.

Hey Marsh. For the most part it's a lovely DVD recording, although during the softer acoustic sessions their is some syllabus issues with LaBrie's mic. He sounds a little bit too breathy on tracks The Silent Man, The spirit Carries on (just the beginning) and Beneath the surface. Other than that. Amazing performance by all, but like AlexDom said Rudess and Myung are a bit buried in the mix, but with a quality home Theater speaker system with a Harmon Kardon Receiver you can clean it up a bit. I tinker. :)

Above all. I'd give it a 4/5. I bought the blue ray 60 page picture booklet edition with the 3 CDs as well and I love it.
Also. My favourite performances were the solos!!! Mangini's drum solo was out cold! Could give Neal Peart a run for his money. Petrucci's solo is this crazy-beautiful floydian inspired piece that will have you feeling pretty satisfied if you really dug The Count Of Tuscony. :) Rudess. He is the wizard. Nuff said. You'll love it.
No Myung solo. DT still do a great job of keeping a quality bass player in the god dame basement. :(

progbethyname wrote: Metalmarsh89 wrote: I'll be getting Live at Luna Park here in the mail in the next week. Has anyone else watched or listened to this live album? What do you think?I'll wait until I watch it before I come back to this thread. Hey Marsh. For the most part it's a lovely DVD recording, although during the softer acoustic sessions their is some syllabus issues with LaBrie's mic. He sounds a little bit too breathy on tracks The Silent Man, The spirit Carries on (just the beginning) and Beneath the surface. Other than that. Amazing performance by all, but like AlexDom said Rudess and Myung are a bit buried in the mix, but with a quality home Theater speaker system with a Harmon Kardon Receiver you can clean it up a bit. I tinker. :) Above all. I'd give it a 4/5. I bought the blue ray 60 page picture booklet edition with the 3 CDs as well and I love it. Also. My favourite performances were the solos!!! Mangini's drum solo was out cold! Could give Neal Peart a run for his money. Petrucci's solo is this crazy-beautiful floydian inspired piece that will have you feeling pretty satisfied if you really dug The Count Of Tuscony. :) Rudess. He is the wizard. Nuff said. You'll love it. No Myung solo. DT still do a great job of keeping a quality bass player in the god dame basement. :(

It turned out very well I thought too. LaBrie did sound quite good, sure a little breathy, but that's not exactly a new thing for him. Mangini is unearthly on the drums, man was he fun to watch. Myung was a little beneath it all sure, but it was still much better than the studio album. Rudess is a wizard too, as you say. I was glad to see more standard piano from him. I was not much of a fan of the song Outcry until I watched the one in this DVD. The breakdown at the end was amazing, as well as all the other solos and improvs. This one might be my favorite DT live album. The only disappointment was that the tracks they played were nearly the same as what they played back when I saw them in 2011. But with Mangini only having just joined, I guess its understandable that he didn't have their whole discography down yet. Still, great execution, and the live versions do sound better than the studio versions of the songs.